7 Cafgu members in Pantao Ragat gun seize under probe

AT LEAST seven members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) are now under investigation in connection with the confiscation of several firearms at the house of Pantao Ragat Vice Mayor Lacson Mangotara Lantud in Lanao del Norte on Wednesday dawn.

Police Superintendent Ronnie Francis Cariaga, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO), said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) had invited the seven Cafgus for questioning because of their presence in the area when the search operation was conducted.

“The CIDG is still investigating whether these Cafgus are being used as private army or not, especially nga naa pud daw silay kampo duol sa residence ni Vice Mayor Lantud, according to CIDG,” Cariaga told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

He said further investigation should be made before the CIDG will file possible charges against Lantud and other personalities.

On Wednesday, members of PRO, Special Action Force (SAF), PRO intelligence unit and CIDG, in coordination with the Joint Peace Security Control Center (JPSCC), searched the residence of Lantud at Poblacion, Pantao Ragat and confiscated several high powered guns.

The operation was made through a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Mario M. dela Cruz Jr. of NCR Branch 22 in Manila.

Personnel of the Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered 10 M14 rifles, 15 M1 Garand rifles, two M16 rifles, six M16 rifles with M2O3 grenade launchers, two M79 grenade launchers, one M60 Machine Gun, one Caliber 30 BAR one; a caliber .45 pistol, two 9mm machine pistols, one 9mm pistol and two other parts of assorted rifles.

Cariaga said the vice mayor was not around when the operation was conducted.

He said the search warrant was received by his wife, incumbent Mayor Eleanor Dimaporo, in the presence of barangay officials.

Cariaga said charges of illegal possession of firearms will be filed against Lantud pending the result of investigation.